New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-10
zEAL OF MIR. HEWITTS WORKMEN.'
OFFERING TO RUN THE TRENTON MILLS.

LARGE PROFITS IN THE IRON TBADE NOT REALIZED
BY THE owNERs-A DOUBTFUL SCHEME.
1t was reported in Trenton N j. yesterday that COM
nittee OF three representing the Knights OF Labor re-
Gently waited Mayor Hewitt to confer upon inc suD
iect of wages at the Trenton Iron Works, owned by
Cooper Hewitt & Co. According TO the statements OF
Charles H. simmorman Of the State Labor Bureau who
was one or the committee Mr.. Hewitt offered 10
turn the mill over to the employees, they to run IL
uuon n eooperatiye basis allowing him SIX
per cent upon the capital invested. Mr.. Smmerman sad
that the Mayor represented that the mill had iost
$4,000 last year. II the employees would assume its
management he would let them have the plant rent free
and furnish all the necessary properly 10 conduct
the business The per cent could be guaranteed MIN
by the men contributing to sinking fund lor
the purpose out OF their earnings MIR. simmerman
regards the Mayors offer one made In good faith
but scarcely expects TO be taken up he feels positive
that the could run the mill and make large pronta
District Assembly 9O Knights of Labor at Trenton has
the matter under advlsement and In few days may
come to definite conclusion aboutit
Mayor Hewitt was seen at his home in Lexington-ave
last evening He said, with reference to the matter
"There is really very little in this whole affair, and IL
can be easily told. Recently three men called on
me at the Mayors Office representing themselves
a. Knights of Labor, but not connected
with the works Of Cooper, Hewitt q 90. askeo
them IL our men proposed to strike. They saia
that so FAR as they knew luat WAS HoS
but there we're some difficulties that they would IKE 10
ace adjusted told them that the works had not paid
us any profit for several years, although there was
large amount OF capital invested there Last year the
works ran considerably behind
Takng one year with another 1t had not paid us per
cent for many years the proposed to strike that
would end the matter We would shut down the works
and thus prevent further loss The committee replied
that no strike was contemplated. L tnen
said that would be glad nave
any one take the works of our hands ana pay US per
cen on the capital invested II the mem Thought tnere
was money In the business they might try the expert
ment OF running the business but the 1rst thlng tney
would have to do would be 70 reduce tocr "a Pe
cent That just what the concern ran pehna M
year The committee seemed somewhat surprised az tas
statement They went away without making any denhte
offer. ..,.,
proposition without intending 1t as direct oner ana
presumed 1t was taken as such NO aeunise paoposo
that we expect any. 1 see here long
dispatch to Western newspaper IN whien
the question OF our forming cooperative assocla
tion and running the works discussed at considerable
length Certainly up TO the present nothing mas
place that will warrant the matter being treated SO
eravey The entire thing has grown out OF the general
remark made that would be willing 10 have any ono
take the hands and pay US sT per cent on
%n propose TO shut down our have kept them
going at a time whom others have suspended, anu we
Eayor Cooper was seen at tho Office of Cooper
Hewitt 4 Co. in BurllngslP he saidi - can oniy
say that apparently great deal mas pee aae os " -
committee who waited him that II our men wanted 10
try cooperation they would have to reduce their wages
20 per cent as preliminary 10 success % th 9 es
against loss and thon share the prons AZ ne
end OF the year. Speaking for myself can say tnat
would to that plan tried, TOT there wouu
be any profit Judging by tue experience OF the past
few years. and the would believe they had been
cheated No definite proposition has been received py